Question

which statements about william shakespeares sonnets are true? select four options. they have a fixed rhyme scheme and structure. they were the first sonnets ever to be written. they often present a question and an answer. they often present a problem and a solution. they were originally written in italian. they frequently focus upon love and romance.

Explanation:

1. Shakespeare's sonnets (specifically English sonnets) have a fixed rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) and structure (14 lines, 3 quatrains + 1 couplet), so "They have a fixed rhyme scheme and structure" is true.
2. Sonnets existed before Shakespeare (e.g., Petrarchan sonnets), so "They were the first sonnets ever to be written" is false.
3. Shakespeare's sonnets often use the first three quatrains to pose a question/explore a theme and the couplet to answer/resolve it, so "They often present a question and an answer" is true.
4. The structure (3 quatrains presenting a problem/theme, couplet giving a solution/closure) means "They often present a problem and a solution" is true.
5. Shakespeare's sonnets were written in English; Petrarchan sonnets were originally in Italian, so "They were originally written in Italian" is false.
6. Many of Shakespeare's sonnets focus on love, romance, and relationships (e.g., sonnets to the Fair Youth, Dark Lady), so "They frequently focus upon love and romance" is true.

Answer:

A. They have a fixed rhyme scheme and structure, C. They often present a question and an answer, D. They often present a problem and a solution, F. They frequently focus upon love and romance